A prosecution witness on Thursday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that some disgruntled Fulani chiefs allegedly sponsored over 200 armed men to attack Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, on June 13, 2025. The assault reportedly left more than 200 people dead and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
Details From the Trial
The witness, Moses Paul, a team leader with the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force, testified during the trial of nine suspects facing charges related to the deadly attack. The defendants, who appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, pleaded not guilty on February 3, 2026, to 57 amended terrorism-related charges.
In count one of the charges, the accused were alleged to have participated in meetings between May and June 2025 in Nasarawa State to plan the attack. The prosecution claims the assault led to house burnings, grievous bodily harm, and the deaths of around 150 people, contrary to Section 12(a) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
The 1st to 5th and 7th to 10th defendants were remanded at Kuje Correctional Facility pending trial.
Alleged Sponsorship and Mobilization
Under examination by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, Paul alleged that the attack was commissioned and funded by disgruntled Fulani chiefs, who pooled resources and mobilized armed men.
“Upon arriving in Yelwata, our team commenced investigations which led to the arrest of the defendants in Kadarko, Ageregu, and parts of Nasarawa State,” Paul testified.
The first defendant arrested, Haruna Abdullahi, allegedly admitted attending meetings with Fulani chiefs in Nasarawa. According to Paul, these meetings were convened over alleged mistreatment of Fulani in Benue and Nasarawa, including the killing of cattle and kin.
The witness further claimed the attack was initially aimed at the Daudu community, but the assailants redirected to Yelwata after encountering resistance.
Court Proceedings
Earlier, the court rejected a bail application from the first defendant’s counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, who had suffered a stroke in custody. The trial has been adjourned to February 27, 2026, for the continuation of the examination of the first prosecution witness.
The revelations underscore the continuing investigation into the massacre that shocked Benue State, highlighting alleged organized sponsorship and planning behind one of the deadliest attacks in recent Nigerian history.
